Physical Therapy (DPT)

Format(s)
On-campus, Hybrid
Degree Type
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Duration

2 years and 3 months
(7 terms, including 2 summer terms)

Format(s)
On-campus, Hybrid
Degree Type
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Duration

2 years and 3 months
(7 terms, including 2 summer terms)

At a Glance

#9
in the nation

The University of Pittsburgh Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) is one of the longest established PT education programs in the country. In both our on-campus and hybrid options, students complete this shorter seven-term program through interactive, hands-on learning from our world-renown faculty who are shaping the field of physical therapy practice. Become a confident clinician through 42-weeks of real-world experience.

Rankings by U.S News & World Report.

Application

Start Term

Fall term (August)

Application Opens

June 15, 2026

Application Closes

October 1, 2026

Commitment
and Credits

Duration

2 years and 3 months
(7 terms, including 2 summer terms)

Commitment

Full-time

Credits

106

Degree

Type of Degree

Doctor of Physical Therapy

This degree prepares graduates to be eligible to sit for the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) to become a licensed physical therapist.

Format(s)

On-campus, Hybrid

Applied Skills

All students (on-campus and hybrid options) participate in 42-weeks of full-time clinical. This consists of 4 different clinical experiences. The program’s clinical partners provide over 1250 clinical sites across the country.

Hybrid option includes 10 in-person immersions in Pittsburgh, PA, as part of the planned curriculum.

Estimated
Program Costs

Hybrid option: Review travel and stay cost considerations for this program format.

Pitt2Pitt Scholarship | Participating Program

The Pitt2Pitt scholarship can help graduating University of Pittsburgh seniors or alumni complete a Pitt master’s or doctoral degree program.

Those applying for the DPT hybrid option are eligible. There is no application process for the Pitt2Pitt Scholarship! Learn more by visiting the Pitt2Pitt website.

Program Outcomes

Certification
and Licensure

Graduates of the DPT program (on-campus or hybrid) are eligible to sit for the national examination for physical therapists administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT), the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).

After successful completion of this exam, and meeting varying state-by-state requirements, the graduate can become licensed.

Learn more about the SHRS programs that meet State Licensure Requirements.

Accreditation

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to file a program concern/complaint with CAPTE, please use the phone and email contact shared above,

If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call Interim Department Chair and Professor Sara Piva at 412-383-6712, or Vice Chair of Doctor of Physical Therapy Education and Associate Professor David Wert at 412-383-5397 or email ptinfo@shrs.pitt.edu.

The Master of Science in Neuromuscular Physical Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh is not accredited by CAPTE.

Student
Handbooks

Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Handbook
View/Download
SHRS Graduate Student Handbook
View/Download